Blackhawks vs. Wild Final Score: Minnesota Steals One from Chicago In Overtime

The Minnesota Wild gave the Chicago Blackhawks all they could handle in Game 1 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals, but the second game in the series was a little less flattering for Minnesota and it was clear they had some work to do if they wanted to make a series out of this. In Game 3, the Wild channeled the magic they captured in the first game and took it to the visiting Blackhawks, getting a game back in the series and breathing new life into the team’s chances.

Chicago struck first in the opening period, which falsely lead observers to believe this would be a game that the Blackhawks would be able to handle just like they did Game 2. But Pierre Marc-Bouchard fired back and tied the game at 1-1 and that’s the way it stayed until the third period. Zach Parise broke the tie in the final period with his first goal of the postseason, but the Wild were unable to hld off the Blackhawks desperate attack and the game went to overtime tied.

But Jason Zucker was able to fool the Blackhawks defense in the first minutes of the extra period and scored to give the Wild their first win of the series.

While the first two games of the series had been on the passive side, Game 3 saw the emotions boil over and the physicality of the series was finally felt. Wild tough man Cal Clutterbuck seemed to be hitting more bodies and hitting more ice than he was hitting the puck on Sunday afternoon, and it was likely his physicality that got Minnesota fired up.

But the physical nature of the Wild’s play took it’s toll late as Clutterbuck was sent to the locker room after taking some nasty hits along the boards, including a stick to his face. However his spirit was still felt on the ice as the Wild beat up the Blackhawks on the boards and helped keep control of the puck.

Minnesota finally got a game in this series, but while it’s a positive thing that they’ve tightened the series to a 2-1 Blackhawks lead, most people gave them one game out of pity. The real test will be in Game 4 as the Wild have now knocked Chicago down twice in this series but were only able to pin them once. After Game 1’s near loss, the Hawks came alive in Game 2 and pushed the Wild back.

So the question everyone is wondering is what Blackhawks team will show up in Game 4 and will the Wild be able to send this series back to Chicago at an even tally.